Friday, September 4, 2009

The September 3 city council meeting was pretty tame. The Moratorium Ordinance was tabled as was the Ordinance concerning raising the user/service fees for trash pick up. However, Mr. Messer's amendment passed. This lowered the proposed monthly increase from $5.00 to $2.00.On a happier note, the cost of living recognition passed 8-1 on the first reading. This is the Ordinance giving the non-bargaining employees a one time wage adjustment to make up for the lack of a salary increase in 2 years.Mr. Coffey formed a fact finding committee to look into the idea of a moratorium on building. It seems there was a question as to the legality of such an ordinance. The committee will be composed of three council members, John Gonder (chair), Bob Ceasar, Kevin Zurschmeide, two attorneys, Stan Robison and Shane Gibson, three developers and one of the engineers from the Storm Water Board. Mr. Gonder wanted one of the victims of the recent flooding added but Mr. Coffey said this was only fact finding and the public input was already on record. The results of the meetings will be presented at a public meeting, where the citizens can give their opinions.At the end of the meeting a business owner spoke during the non-agenda public communications. Her first name if Vickie (sorry I did not hear her last name). She has a hair salon on 15th and Spring and the empty lot next to her has large sink holes which caused her basement wall to cave in. Very scary indeed. Thankfully Mr. Price and some of the other council members will contact the storm water board to see what can be done to help her. This is in spite of the fact that the problems are on private property. Thank you Mr. Price for helping this citizen. In my opinion that is what our city council is supposed to do. Finally, Ordinance G-09-19 failed 6-3. This was the one which gave Georgetown 5 years to pay on their agreement.On a personal note, I want to thank the council and everyone for conducting the meeting in a businesslike fashion, hardly a voice was raised.